HONG KONG, October 15 — The Hong Kong men’s Rugby Sevens team secured a dramatic 26-19 victory over Shandong province in the National Games final last night, clinching the territory’s fourth gold medal and, significantly, the first to be won on home soil in the massive new Kai Tak Sports Park stadium. The exhilarating final, marked by a stunning Hong Kong comeback, capped an undefeated run for the local squad, igniting widespread celebrations and drawing effusive praise from senior government officials.
The final match, held before a packed and boisterous crowd at the Kai Tak venue, saw Hong Kong overcome an early deficit, showcasing exceptional teamwork and tenacity. The win elevated Hong Kong’s medal tally in the 15th National Games to five, comprising four gold and one bronze across sailing, cycling, tennis, swimming, and now, rugby.
Officials Hail Team’s ‘Non-Stop Drive’
Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, Lo Suk-yee, passionately congratulated the athletes following the intense final. Lo described the team’s performance as an exemplary display of collective effort and extraordinary grit.
“The players were simply outstanding, demonstrating teamwork pushed to the absolute limit,” Lo stated, commending their “non-stop drive and perseverance” that resulted in a perfect tournament record.
The Secretary confessed on social media that the intense pressure of the final, which saw Hong Kong fall briefly behind 12-14, had her captivated. “It was far more nerve-wracking than our preliminary match against Shandong,” she wrote, adding that witnessing the late rally provided a thrilling moment that gave her “goosebumps.”
Community Spirit Shines at Kai Tak
The atmosphere at the Kai Tak venue was palpable, reinforcing the significance of hosting major events. Housing Bureau Secretary Winnie Ho was also among the high-ranking officials who rushed to attend the highly anticipated match.
Ho, who titled her reflections “Witnessing the Power of Hong Kong” on social media, described cutting short an earlier engagement just to experience the final in person. She noted the broad support for the team, with numerous principal officials and government permanent secretaries also in attendance, collectively cheering against the formidable Shandong side.
“The pace of rugby is relentless, the power explosive,” Ho wrote, detailing the crowd’s shifting emotions from breathless silence during tackles and sprints to explosive cheers following decisive plays. She recounted how, in the final minute, members of the Housing Bureau contingent could not resist standing up to roar their encouragement as Hong Kong closed out the victory.
A Testament to Resilience and Teamwork
The victory underscored not just the athletic prowess of the Hong Kong team but also the unifying power of sport within the city. For many, the sight of a home team winning the first gold in the newly completed Kai Tak Sports Park—a major infrastructure project—was deeply symbolic.
The gold medalists exemplified resilience, fighting back from adversity both in the final and throughout the high-stakes competition. The result is expected to further boost interest and investment in rugby, a sport with an ardent following in the city.
Secretary Lo expressed confidence that further medals were imminent for the Hong Kong delegation and called on the public to maintain their vigorous support for the athletes competing in the remaining events of the National Games. The next few days will see several Hong Kong athletes participating in medal contention across various disciplines, hoping to build on the momentum created by the Men’s Rugby Sevens historic win.
Leave a Reply